Chillis and peppers in pots

[Sonata]

I've currently got my (admittedly v small) chilli seedlings in 3-5 inch pots and my pepper (I bought one, but also have 6 more sprouting) in a 3" pot. So I have two questions...

With the chillis, I've heard that you pot on in increasingly big pots at 2" intervals - i.e. 3" pot, then 5" etc. - what size would I ultimately be aiming at? I'd like to keep them as indoor plants over the autumn/winter, but have them on the patio over the summer. I have anaheim, demon red, bird's eye and jalapeno.

Does the same rule apply to peppers with regards to potting on? Should I put this one in a 5" pot next or can I think about planting out? I'd like those on the patio too..would they overwinter indoors? I might end up living in a jungle this winter!

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hiya. Welcome to the Vine. I'm no expert, but I usually pot on my chillis, peppers and tomatoes as youve described in larger and larger pots as appropriate, as a final pot, I use the black plastic flower buckets available from Morrisons (99p for ten) and put one tomato plant in a bucket, and a couple of chilli and pepper plants in a bucket. I keep mine in the greenhouse, but if the weather is going to be good enough this summer plan on putting them outside.
Good luck. Let us know how you get on.

[rana]

I know they say you should gradually pot on chillis but I go straight from 3" pots to flower buckets. This seems to work well for those kept in the greenhouse and I am always rewarded with healthy plants bearing plenty of fruit.

[SarzWix]

Chillis and Peppers both object to sitting in cold damp compost, so this is why you are advised to pot them up gradually - going from a 3" pot straight into a big 5 litre pot means that the plant won't be able to use up all the moisture in the pot fast enough, so will therefore be sitting in cold, wet compost

I usually use a 5 litre pot for chillis, and up to 10 litre pot (flower buckets ) for peppers. They can get to be very big plants! However, if you put them in smaller pots, they won't grow so big and will fruit a bit quicker too (but less fruit).

[Sonata]

Thanks. Have put the pepper in a 5" pot - it was a bit pot bound! I'm going to have to find myself rather a lot of 5 and 10L pots! I have about 44 chilli seedlings - oops.

[Flobalob]

By potting them up gradually 3" to 5" etc. the plant is easier to manage. You are only watering to the plants requirements. Too large and you are only watering excess soil unnecessarily,which in turn will cause rot. Cucumbers being a good example of this.
A few of my peppers at various stages of potting on.. tonys+pics+may+09+014.jpg (image)

[maytreefrannie]

Flobalob, I've just looked at your pictures and your plants look great. Do you have heating for them?

My chillis and peppers could hide behind one of those leaves, I think!

[Flobalob]

Flobalob, I've just looked at your pictures and your plants look great. Do you have heating for them?

My chillis and peppers could hide behind one of those leaves, I think!

The only heat they get maytree is from the sun. Which of late 'due to the position of my greenhouse & the favourable weather, has been 8-10 hours a day of temps in the 30's

[rana]

Good thread with information of practical value, my thanks to Sarzwix and Flobalob

[edcave]

I too am growing some pepper and chilli plants. Being in London I plan to put them outside. Does anyone know if birds will eat the peppers? or destroy the plants?

I have a rather large Pigeon that hangs round the garden and likes to Eat everything.

Thanks

[gadgetman]

LOL, they'd only do it once

[cupcake]

I have 6 peppers planted out and the birds have left them alone. They've attacked the lettuce, beetroot and spinach through the netting!

[rustylady]

I too am growing some pepper and chilli plants. Being in London I plan to put them outside. Does anyone know if birds will eat the peppers? or destroy the plants?

I have a rather large Pigeon that hangs round the garden and likes to Eat everything.

Thanks

Don't think pigeons would eat chillies, but African Grey parrots are rather partial to them.